Adjustable emi baffling apparatus for data storage systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for reducing and constraining EMI (electronic magnetic radiation) emissions without affecting the internals of data storage system components. A baffle is attached to the exterior of the housing of a data storage system component by baffle mounts. The baffle is operable between a closed position, where the baffle blocks EMI emitted by connectors on the data storage system component, and an open position, where the connectors are not blocked allowing for servicing and cable management. The baffle may comprise an EMI absorbing material and be tuned to meet specific EMI requirements. The baffle mounts offsets the baffle from the data storage system component and the baffle includes a number of holes to allow airflow. The adjustable EMI baffling apparatus does not interfere with other mounted components while the data storage system component is mounted in a cabinet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §121 to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/634,064entitled: Adjustable EMI Baffling Apparatus For Data Storage Systemsfiled Dec. 5, 2006. The U.S. application, Ser. No. 11/634,064 hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of computer systems andconfigurations, and particularly to an adjustable EMI baffling apparatusfor data storage systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic enclosures including data storage systems frequently emitundesirable electronic magnetic radiation, commonly referred to aselectromagnetic interference (EMI). The ever increasing complexity ofmodern computer systems and information networks has made the ability tocomply with EMI emission requirements more difficult. For example,increased higher operating frequencies have resulted in increased EMIemissions from computer systems. In some cases, large amounts of energyare released at the interconnect location of the system to the outsideworld. This includes at the location of interconnect technologies suchas SFP (small form factor pluggable) cages for fiber optic pluggabletransceivers. These connector housings are typically internallyshielded, but are known sources of EMI, making enclosure shieldingdifficult.

Regulations set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) donot permit products to emit EMI above pre-defined thresholds. Thus,containment and reduction of EMI is required for a variety ofinformation handling system components, including data storage systems,in order for such systems to be certified by the FCC.

Several methods currently exist for EMI reduction and containment indata storage systems. One conventionally utilized method for EMIreduction and containment is the use of various gaskets and shields thatare installed in high EMI emitting locations throughout the system. Inaddition, enclosure designs are configured to reduce the amount of seamsand gaps that can act as transmitters for EMI. Board level shieldingapproaches entail the use of faraday cages located over and above highenergy PCB (printed circuit board) components.

Common disadvantages associated with the currently available methodsentail increased part counts, increased costs, and increased assemblylabor rates. Ultimately, designers are limited in the approaches to EMIshielding. Limited space for internal shields, higher chip frequencies,and other design constraints leave little alternatives for EMI shieldingand gaining FCC compliance.

Therefore, it would be desirable to reduce and constrain EMI inaccordance with desired standards without affecting the internals of thedata/computer system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for reducingand constraining EMI emissions without affecting the internals ofinformation handling system components.

In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, an adjustable EMIbaffling apparatus may be attached by baffle mounts to the exterior ofthe housing of a data storage system component. A baffle is attached tothe baffle mounts, operable between a closed position and an openposition. In the closed position, the baffle blocks EMI emitted byconnectors on the data storage system component. In the open position,the connectors are not blocked allowing for servicing and cablemanagement. The baffle in the closed position impedes EMI radiationemitted by the connectors, thus containing and reducing EMI emission.The baffle may comprise an EMI absorbing material and may be tuned tomeet specific EMI requirements, such as FCC regulations. The bafflemounts offset the baffle from the data storage system component to allowairflow. The baffle includes a number of holes to also allow airflow. Ifthe data storage system component is mounted in a cabinet, theadjustable EMI baffling apparatus does not interfere with other mountedcomponents.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of thespecification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and togetherwith the general description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the present invention may be betterunderstood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanyingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an adjustable EMI baffling apparatus attachedto an information handling system component in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the baffle is inthe closed or storage position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an adjustable EMI baffling apparatus attachedto an information handling system component in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the baffle is inthe open position for accessibility and cable management;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an adjustable EMI baffling apparatusattached to an information handling system component in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the baffle isin the closed or storage position;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an adjustable EMI baffling apparatusattached to an information handling system component in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the baffle isin the open position for accessibility and cable management;

FIG. 5 is a detail side view of an adjustable EMI baffling apparatus inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for providing an adjustable EMIbaffling apparatus for an information handling system component inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an adjustable EMI (electronic magneticradiation) baffling apparatus 100 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Referring now toFIGS. 1-4, the adjustable EMI baffling apparatus 100 may be attached tothe exterior of the housing of an information handling system component101 as shown. The information handling system component 101 includes oneor more connectors 102. The connectors 102 may be SFP (small form factorpluggable) cages for fiber optic pluggable transceivers. The informationhandling system component 101 may be a data storage system component.The information handling system component 101 may be mountable in aninformation handling system component chassis. The information handlingsystem component chassis may be a computer cabinet, which may be astandard EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) cabinet. If theinformation handling system component is mounted in an informationhandling system component chassis, the adjustable EMI baffling apparatus100 does not interfere with other information handling system componentsmounted in the information handling system component chassis.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment the adjustable EMIbaffling apparatus 100 is attached to the information handling systemcomponent 101 by a pair of baffle mounts 103. The baffle mounts 103 maycomprise sheet metal. In alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, the adjustable EMI baffling apparatus 100 may attach to aninformation handling system component 101 utilizing a different numberof baffle mounts 103. For example, in an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention one or three baffle mounts 103 could be utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a baffle 104 is moveably attached to thebaffle mounts 103. The baffle 104 is operable between a closed position(as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) and an open position (asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4). In the closed position (as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3), the baffle 104 blocks EMI emitted by at least oneconnector 102 on the information handling system component 101. In theopen position (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4), the baffle 104 does notblock one or more connectors 102 on the information handling systemcomponent 101, allowing for servicing of the connectors 102 and cablemanagement. The blocking of the connector 102 by the baffle 104 impedesEMI emitted by the connector 102, thus containing and reducing EMIemission. The baffle 104 may comprise different materials (including EMIabsorbing materials), gauges, and thicknesses for containment andreduction of specific EMI frequencies. The baffle 104 may comprise sheetmetal. Thus, the baffle 104 may be tuned to meet specific EMIrequirements, such as FCC (Federal Communications Commission)regulations.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in this exemplary embodiment the baffle mounts103 offset the baffle 104 from the information handling system component101 to allow airflow to and from the information handing systemcomponent 101. Also in this embodiment, the baffle 104 includes a numberof holes 301 to allow airflow to and from the information handlingsystem component 101.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the moveable attachment of the baffle 104 tothe baffle mounts 103 will now be described. The baffle 104 includesnotch pins 105, a slot pins 106, and latches 110. The baffle mounts 103include latch notches 107, pin slots 108, and pin notches 109. Thebaffle 104 is held between baffle mounts 103. Slot pins 106 protrudethrough pin slots 108 so that the baffle 104 is moveably connected tothe baffle mounts 103. When the baffle 104 is in the closed position (asillustrated in FIG. 5), latches 110 engage latch notches 107 to restrainthe movement of the baffle 104. Latches 110 may be disengaged from latchnotches 107 so that the baffle 104 may rotate on slot pins 106 to theopen position (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4). When the baffle 104 isrotated to the open position (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4), thebaffle 104 may be pushed inward toward the baffle mounts 103 so thatslot pin 106 slides along pin slot 108 and notch pins 105 are slid intopin notches 109. When the baffle 104 has been pushed inward toward thebaffle mounts 103 so that notch pins 105 are slid into pin notches 109,pin notches 109 and notch pins 105 hold the baffle 104 in place. Whenthe baffle 104 is held in place in the open position (as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4) by pin notches 109 and notch pins 105, the baffle 104 maybe pulled away from the baffle mounts 103 so that slot pin 106 slidesalong pin slot 108 and notch pins 105 are slid out of pin notches 109.The baffle 104 may then be rotated to the closed position (asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5) and the baffle 104 may be pushedinward toward the baffle mounts 103 so that latches 110 engage latchnotches 107.

In alternative embodiments, the baffle 104 may be moveably connected tothe baffle mounts 103 utilizing different connection means. For example,hinges may be utilized. Also, in alternative embodiments a differentnumber of latches 110 may be utilized. For example, one latch 110 may beutilized or no latches 110 may be utilized. Additionally, in alternativeembodiments the baffle 104 may be moveably connected to the bafflemounts 103 so that the baffle 104 moves differently between the closedand open positions. For example, the baffle 104 may swing side to sideinstead of swinging up and down. Additionally, in alternativeembodiments, the baffle 104 may be operable between two or morepositions that are not closed and open positions.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a method for providing an adjustable EMIbaffling apparatus for an information handling system componentincluding at least one connector 600 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In step 601, abaffle mount which is attachable to the exterior of the housing of aninformation handling system component is provided. In step 602, a baffleis moveably attached to the baffle mount so that the baffle is operablebetween a first and second position where the baffle blocks EMI emittedby one or more connectors on the information handling system componentin the first position and does not block one or more connectors on theinformation handling system component in the second position.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses disclosed is an example of exemplary approaches. Based upondesign preferences, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged while remainingwithin the scope of the present invention. The accompanying methodclaims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and arenot meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is alsobelieved that it will be apparent that various changes may be made inthe form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention or withoutsacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein beforedescribed being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is theintention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

1. A method of providing an adjustable EMI (electronic magneticradiation) baffling apparatus for an information handling systemcomponent with at least one connector, comprising: providing a bafflemount which is attachable to the exterior of the housing of aninformation handling system component, attaching a baffle moveably tothe baffle mount so the baffle is operable between a first and secondposition wherein in the first position the baffle blocks EMI emitted byat least one connector on the information handling system component andin the second position the baffle does not block one or more connectorson the information handling system component.
 2. The method as claimedin claim 1, wherein the baffle comprises an EMI absorbing material. 3.The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the baffle has been tuned tomeet specific EMI requirements.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the baffle includes a number of holes for airflow.
 5. The methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle mount offsets the baffle fromthe information handling system component for airflow.
 6. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the information handling system component ismountable in a information handling system component chassis and thebaffle and baffle mount do not interfere with other information handlingsystem components mounted in the information handling system componentchassis.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the informationhandling system component is a data storage system component.